"Generally respect the obligations of the charter, respect international law and conventions, don't air your disagreements with other members in public unless there's no alternative, don't inflame situations and for the most part don't start threatening anybody." Tommy said, he was paraphrasing but that was more or less what LISA expected of its membership "Now as to your second question LISA presently has no position on the matter because it has not been discussed. However it is a tricky situation not helped by inflammation of the situation. When LISA discus's this I would expect an informative debate resulting in a carefully crafted suggestion, probably because the histories of the LISA states is what it is. But as the Himeyaman Premier is due for talks with Achkaerin's Emperor we'll see what happens.

So shall we get started?"

Alarm bells were ringing in Serenity's head again and she was willing to bet it wasn't only in her head that it was happening. Or was it maybe the pins and needles developing in her ankle?

"The principle of article 12.1 is a statement that anyone irrespective or race, gender or sexual orientation is permitted to marry or enter into the equivalent status as defined by national law that's what the currently in force article says. Article 12.2 forms the other half of this in terms of legal status and an affirmation that a same sex marriage or union is regarded in legal terms as the same as that of an opposite sex one. Now I would love to live in a world where that point does not need to be explicitly made but sadly that is not the case.

Now it would seem there is a concerted number of us asking the question of why article 13 was removed, I'm sure we will get an answer but given the narrow scope of the article in a practical sense I fail to see what could prompt it's removal. I also fail to see why we would seek to invite the backlash that such a move would bring."

Serenity paused for a moment gathering her thoughts

"Now as for the proposal in regards to article 7.2 I must declare my adamant opposition. For two reasons first the presumption of innocence that is to say innocent until proven guilty is the single most important principle in Achkaerin's legal system. The presumption means that everyone knows that the accused are considered innocent and that therefore the burden of proof falls on the prosecution. Now to take a position where the accused is presumed as neither guilty or innocent is to my mind to split the burden and that's not a good thing because that seems to suggest that we're getting into the realms of the defence having to prove innocence and that's something that should never have to be proved. Now I'm sure in Arda Tuluva that such a system works fine but this is an international document which nations are going to sign, some are already signatory to the original. The point is that some articles like 12.1 can be adapted to cover all bases the First Minister has given an appropriate wording of that, but something like article 7.2 does not afford us that opportunity it is a very specific clause so our wiggle room is greatly reduced.

The second reason this is opposed is that article 7 of this Convention is also included in the Uppsalla Convention, as is article 4 and article 6. Consequently any amendments to those three articles by proxy amends the Uppsalla Convention, something I would rather we did not get into.

This Convention is the example of what can be achieved when nations come together to try to make the world a better place for everybody without prejudices based on race, gender, faith or sexuality, let's not curtail what's been accomplished, by all means add to it, widen things out, be more inclusive but don't sacrifice the spirit of articles or the spirit of the Convention in doing so let's look at what could be added to the Convention rather than consider what to take out."

To President Marc-Antoine Lavaud

The application process to become a member of LISA is spelled out under article thirty six of the organisations charter. It comprises three stages that in essence are fact finding, formal debate and then a vote and signature should the vote be in the applicant's favor. The purpose of this process is to ensure that applicant nations are vetted as thoroughally as possible it has been seen before that nations have suddenly changed policy at the drop of the hat, the most obvious example being what happened between three CIS nations and Verover during operations in Safraen. It is therefore the custom of LISA to not automatically invite representatives of nations such as yourself to the Council without first conducting the fact finding stage. A delegation to act on behalf of LISA will be selected and will arrive in your country to condct the fact finding stage of this. You should be prepared to discuss a variety of topics in this ranging from your countries domestic policies to your thoughts on present international issues and foreign policy.

Signed

Isabella Watson
Achkaerin LISA Councillor

OOC - expect a diplomacy and events topic for the visit in the next few hours.

"Actually it involves not being screwed around with by people like you who think I'll answer a personal question when I hardly know them." Constance said almost instantly her arms folded, behind the Pope Kathryn was trying really hard not to giggle. What would be regarded as cheap tricks like that relied on a few things, generally a lot of intimidation on the part of the questioner and plenty of weak will on the part of the person being asked the question, classic psychology but Constance wasn't weak willed and as someone who worked in business she wasn't easily intimidated. Constance took a deep breath and showed them inside, first up was the canteen.

"I don't know precisely what you know about the Faejeon so I'll try and paraphrase." Constance said "They're refugee's having fled from Abydos's desert about three hundred to four hundred years ago due to persecution. It's more than a little disgraceful, these are people who ethnicly are the same as anyone native to that country yet because they display tribal tattoo's they're apparently different. They all have stories and they have their shared history. Now how would you like to spend some time speaking to them and maybe get a game in?"

To Ulrich Fava,

While this is an interesting idea, it would appear to myself, my colleagues and those in the industry that the proposal raises several serious concerns. However I trust that a discussion over those concerns can put such things to rest.



Senator Charles Paulson
Minister of Transport

It was a few minutes later that the helicopter touched down on Meridian Island Kathryn led the Pope off the helicopter, once the rotors had stopped spinning, they'd landed outside what was a former High School that now served as a drop in complex for the Faejeon Tribe. As usual the place was buzzing with a multitude of activities, there was office space for casework, leisure areas for various games, educational classes as part of the outreach programme, a canteen and a whole lot of other things as well. Waiting for them at the entrance was Lady Constance Silvermist, she was the wife of the Marquis of Mossflower and Icebridge and the mother of the Achkaerinese ambassador to Lodja.

"Lady Constance Silvermist may I introduce His Holiness the Pope." Kathryn said
"A pleasure to meet you." Constance said
 

"It would be most appreciated if we could take a closer look at them." Edwin said "Though I confess this type of vehicle is somewhat out of my understanding, which is where Ms Saikolov comes in, she's one of our drone operators so has an understanding of the type of thing that the RoboGuard is." it was more than likely that Mika understood precisely what the RoboGuard they'd come across on the way in had done and how it had done it.
"I apologize in advance if I ask too many questions." Mika said "Bit of a robotics geek." she brushed nervously at her hair, she usually felt comfortable in East Moreland but she was always like a kid in a toy store around robots and stuff like it and had a tendency to let her mouth run ahead of her brain at such times. Maybe that explained it.
"We're in your hands Mr Dawson." Edwin said "And quite intrigued to see what the RoboGuard is capable of."

 

Once the door to the lounge was closed Serenity stood, slapping the sofa with the palms of her hands as she propelled herself up from a sitting position, Rion was slower to rise but she stood with her hands on her hips, Nettie stayed sat down but threw her head back relaxing it against the head rest of the sofa so she could look up at the ceiling. Serenity was pacing around like a caged animal, visibly irritated.

"I knew she was stubborn but she's stubborn to the point of foolishness." Serenity said "And she sounds like she needs a therapist because I'd say she's in denial, integrity? What integrity? You don't continue to perpetuate a lie when you no longer need to not with the stakes as high as they were, does she even realize the full extent of what that one omission has now thrown in front of her? Ok mini rant over, Nettie you know her best what do you think?" she turned to the former Rokkenjiman Premier and Imperial Councillor.
"Can I see Beatrice Anselmo falling on her sword like that? Yes." Nettie said "It's the sort of thing she'd do, she's also the type to see enemies at every turn, she's not just careful about who she trusts but what she trusts them with. Remember she lost her family and likely saw assassin's at every turn. What's she looking at?"
"If it's true it's perjury, she's guilty of it and she knows it." Serenity said "Perjury is ethier a fine or a custodial."
"And?" Nettie asked
"High profile case, opportunity to tell the truth when it was safe and before it was too late not taken, high profile defendant." Serenity said "You do the math. If she fights this she's going away for the maximum and all because of her damn pride."
"What if she doesn't fight it?" Nettie asked
"Less." Serenity said "But that isn't the important issue. The real problem is that Charles Ofdensen's leverage over Beatrice was the main plank of her defence during the Andean Genocide trials. She lied about the extent of that leverage  so it begs the question..."
"Did she lie about anything else?" Nettie asked
"Exactly." Serenity said "The full implication of the lie isn't the fact of the lie it's the fallout from it, right now Lt Foster and Ensign Morgan are deciding whether or not the impact of the lie is sufficient to take another run at Beatrice on the Uppsalla charges."
"Is there?" Rion asked
"I don't know but if she fights it that gets more likely." Serenity said "We're going to have to lose the battle to win the war. Rion talk to me about Lucinda."

"Objectively the operation makes sense." Rion said "King's Blood are led by Barren's cousin so placing Borland Town under surveillance is logical just in case the cub returns to the lair. Subjectively there are serious problems I have with it. First Rokkenjima mounting that operation - seriously why? There are two very good reasons why when you were kidnapped by the Borland Separatists Serenity that East Moreland ran point, one they're the Borland Separatist experts and two we avoided your father being held to ransom, putting anyone from Rokkenjima in the mix creates a wild card you don't need. Second I can't prove Lucinda was there based on our surveillance footage."
"You had Borland Town under surveillance?" Nettie asked
"The one advantage of Borland Town was that it presented a great opportunity to get data on the Separatists." Rion said "I had my four best shots staking the place out using camera traps to collect information, not one hit outside of the ones we already had thanks to our agreement with East Moreland, and we pulled out as late as we dared. But had we spotted Lucinda Hadley it would have been flagged, I can see her being there and I presume she was using a disguise but proving it? That's another thing entirely."
"Best guess?" Serenity asked
"Beatrice orders a surveillance mission, Lucinda proceeds to Borland Town in disguise hence why we didn't see her, but Lucinda's in effect the head of Royal Security in Rokkenjima and when you're the head of Royal Security and I speak from experience your number one priority and duty is the safety of that family, so what we have is Lucinda doing her job." Rion said "I'm not sure what can be proven beyond that in terms of any deal that was offered because you don't admit that."
"So how does that become the lie?" Serenity asked
"I remember this." Nettie said clicking her fingers as if a light bulb was switching on in her head "Lucinda was missing for a few days then she came back, Charles was especially curious about where she'd been. They had a conversation in his office."
"She tells him because she needs to gauge what to tell Beatrice." Rion said nodding "Charles goes from panic to calm because he realizes Lucinda doesn't know about his involvement in the kidnapping of Adriana, instead he files a report on it and holds onto it just in case he needs it. That coupled with threats to Evanthe and Euphemia that we know about coerces Beatrice into towing the line."
"So what are you going to do Serenity?" Nettie said

"I've never been able to stand bullies." Serenity said, maybe that was where Lisa got it from, her voice was bristling with fury "I've dealt with my fair share of them, Charles Ofdensen probably the most significant of them all. He doesn't get to win, none of his victims are going to suffer anymore."
"I get that but how?" Rion asked
"There's an old saying." Serenity said "Before you can be forgiven you must first forgive."
"You did hear Beatrice didn't you?" Nettie asked realizing what Serenity was driving at.
"Yes I did." Serenity said "But I won't let Charles Ofdensen's lust for power be evident anywhere except shattered on the floor of his cell. This has to end and it has to end in a way that breaks whatever spell Charles weaved over Pyrena, all this hate, all this bitterness it has to go. Do you want to stay for dinner?"
"Wish I could but I've got a meeting with the cabinet in the morning." Nettie said
"I'm with the intel briefing in the morning." Rion said

A few moments later with Nettie and Rion having left the Estate to get back to the Capital, Serenity stepped into the kitchen just finishing a phone call.
"Thank you Admiral." Serenity said, she hung up the phone and washed her hands ready to start doing the pizza's, she looked at Beatrice "We've got a court date tomorrow, we'll discuss what we're going to do about that after we've eaten and the girls are in bed." she started putting the components of the pizza's together, tomato and cheese with the homemade base "In short you're staying here tonight Beatrice. Mr Lelouch you're welcome to stay the night as well, I can easily make a room up for you. Pick your toppings girls." Astrid went for the ham, Lisa like her mother had a thing for pepperoni. Once Beatrice, Charlene and Lelouch had picked theirs, the pizza's were in the oven and Serenity turned her attention to the drinks, Astrid was on milk, Lisa a banana milkshake, Serenity chose a diet coke as did Charlene.

Once the pizza's were ready Lisa laid the table and Serenity served them.
"So." Serenity said "Tell me a little about Adriana." she hadn't yet made her mind up about Beatrice's earlier request and this seemed like a reasonable opportunity to broach that subject.

"Problem is you had the chance." Serenity said "The night before you were acquitted, you and I as well as the senior attorney's for the prosecution and defence sat in a room and you told us what you claimed was the truth, you told us about the leverage Charles had over you by threatening Evanthe and Euphemia. I believed you and acted to neutralize the threat."
"Which my people did." Rion said, she handed Lelouch a piece of paper with two names on it "Two former Anausa now neutralized, you probably know they're dead but these were two of Charles's people, we traced them through financial records that were made available at the time due to the various investigations."
"The issue." Serenity said slowly "Is that you didn't tell us anything about this business with Lucinda, had you done so you wouldn't be in the position you're in now because had you told us, it would have gone straight to East Moreland without anyone in Rokkenjima knowing about it. We explain this because it somewhat limits our options but that's tomorrow's battle."

It was at this point that Astrid's stomach rumbled, which made Serenity giggle.
"And that would be the signal of tonight's battle." Serenity said "Lisa would you and Astrid like to show our guests to the kitchen?"
"What is for tea?" Lisa asked as she got up off the floor
"I'm doing my homemade pizza." Serenity said, she looked at Beatrice and Lelouch "My girls will show you to the kitchen, Charlene will be there. I'll catch up in a few minutes I just need to have a quick word with Rion and Nettie."

The Avalon Estate was one of the smaller Royal Residence's in Achkaerin and while she was serving at JAG it was Serenity's home. The strong security presence at the port wasn't reflected here for one very important reason, that had been necessitated by what had come out of Rokkenjima it had set into motion a chain of events that had seen an arrest warrant issued and brought them to this point. They went inside Serenity closed the door behind them.

"We'll deal with this in the lounge." Serenity said, she turned and was immediately ambushed by her two daughters first was Astrid, the three year old girl ran up to her mother, Serenity scooped her up and hugged her
"Mummy." Astrid said
"How was your day Astrid?" Serenity asked, she heard her daughter wince, Serenity's eyes honed in on developing bruises on Astrid's arms and legs and what looked like a nasty scrape on her left elbow "What happened to you?"
"Some of the kids at her nursery were picking on her at the end of the day." Charlene Brightwall, Serenity's work partner and lodger said "Hair pulling, knocking her over, tripping her up...they didn't reckon with her sister though." Serenity raised an eyebrow, she glanced past Charlene to where the slightest trace of blonde hair could be seen.
"Lisa." Serenity said, her older not to mention long lost daughter Lisa stepped relunctantly out from where she'd been hiding, the six year old looking down at the floor "What did you do?"
"Told them to stop picking on Asrid and when they didn't... knocked them over." Lisa said
"Come here." Serenity said, Lisa walked over and Serenity ruffled her hair a little before hugging Lisa with her free hand "It's good you want to protect Astrid but you know you can't go round using violence like that."
"Sorry." Lisa said
"Do you have any homework?" Serenity asked
"Yes." Lisa said
"Go get it and ask Charlene to help you get me the first aid kit." Serenity said

As Lisa, now relieved to not be in any trouble ran off with Charlene, Serenity half smiled
"Well there's no doubt she's your daughter." Rion said
"Heaven's help us if Lisa meets Rhiannon." Serenity said "Where were we?"
"The lounge." Rion said
"Let's go." Serenity said

Serenity, still carrying Astrid, led Rion, Lelouch and Beatrice into the lounge where one more person was waiting for them Nettie Taylor, her presence probably no surprise to either of the Rokkenjiman's stood waiting.
"Have a seat." Serenity said, Beatrice and Lelouch sat on one sofa while on the other side of the coffee table Serenity sat with Astrid on her knee flanked by Rion and Nettie, it didn't take long before Charlene and Lisa were back, Charlene handed Serenity the first aid kit.
"I'll go and see if they've come up with something in the study shall I?" Charlene asked
"That would help thanks." Serenity said, Charlene nodded and left while Lisa lied on her front on the floor her maths book open in front of her as she started to do her homework, Serenity opened the first aid kit and started to deal with the scrape on Astrid's elbow now she addressed their guests

"How many times have we sat at the same table?" Serenity asked "There's always been trust, I've always been honest with you and I had thought you'd always been honest with me. But you lied to me that night and that hurts, worse as a result of that lie you committed a criminal offence and then even worse than that the case in which you lied was the Andean Genocide case. I could tell you what is going on at my place of work right now but I won't because you can already imagine it. So now you tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, you will tell me why you lied to me, you will tell us about this new evidence that we've been hearing about and you will leave nothing out, if you lie to me now then I can't help you, tell me the truth and we may yet be able to stop a train before it leaves the station. This is your last chance and you know better than to screw this up."

You have got to be frakking kidding me Kakashi thought as he walked into the command tent in the morning. The roar of jets overhead and the sound of missile launch's against Khaliniz positions
"The Hanor surveillance report is in - when do you want to look at it?" Sarah asked
"I don't think we're going to have the chance to now." Kakashi said "Lakhzovian Government has evicted Achkaerinese Troops."
"You're kidding." Sarah said
"Wish I was but this is Kadassa and the man's never wanted us here at least not any longer than he had to tolerate us for." Kakashi said "How long to get everyone out?"
"Twenty Four hours for everyone." Sarah said "But Waterloo Yellow reports that refugee's have started arriving."
"I'm ordering the withdrawal." Kakashi said "And I'm going to make this known to the Lakhzovian government. We do this our way, distribute the order and find our friend's senior officer and bring them to me."
"Sir?" Sarah asked
"Riddle me this Sarah, who do we have here and who does that order evict?" Kakashi asked, Sarah thought for a moment and smiled
"Very clever sir." Sarah said "I'll get right on it."
"And someone get me on the line with the Moreland CO." Kakashi said

---

A few minutes later Wing Commander Dawn Jennings had gathered the Achkaerinese pilots together as well as Major Mishima from the armoured corp.
"Ok here it is Kadassa has decided he wants us out, we're going to comply but we're ensuring a safe evacuation of Achkaerinese forces first. So here's the game plan, increased bombardment of target areas within Waterloo Red from land and air, given we're left with having to get our people out with helicopter airlift we need to keep enemy positions pinned down, remember intel indicates Khaliniz troops in this area have more AT than AA weapons. Bumblebee's and Butterfly's will fly to Waterloo Yellow and drop off substitute personnel and humanitarian supplies there's a large enough area there to land, they pick up refugee's and bring them out. As we get later into the day we'll start picking up our people and get them out, standard fighter escort per group of helicopters. Snow Owl will be up top with two tankers. Lakhzovian Government has been informed that we are complying with their announcement but that it will take time to do and that we will not tolerate their interference in this. Once all ground troops have withdrawn we pull our air cover at the discretion of Squadron Commander Frost. Final ceasefire order delegated to Major Mishima." Dawn said "Good luck and may the Braves fly with you."

---

Waterloo Yellow was the point a decent and reasonable distance from where troops were fighting in the mountains (Waterloo Red) the two perimeter positions formed in line with each other were sought of like the inner and outer boundaries of a rin doughnut. Major Craig Roberts was the senior officer at Waterloo Yellow and the sheer shock of the revocation order had been compounded by the arrival of the first Utman refugee's but at least it appeared that the higher up's had a plan and given that Kakashi Fuji was the officer commanding there was more than enough reason to trust this. As the troops he was in command of went about providing humanitarian assistance against the backdrop of increased bombardment the first Bumblebee landed on the ground, the rear ramp lowered and the passengers disembarked bringing a chuckle from Craig
"Oh very good sir." he said, he approached the senior officer and started briefing his replacement.

---

Back in Somerset, Kakashi looked up as the person he'd asked for entered the tent with Sarah. Such a simple solution wasn't it? His good friend Rhyth Icerider always said that in situations you had to call, fold or raise. As one might imagine she tended to sit down and play poker with her troops from time to time. Calling Kadassa would have been too risky, the job was to save lives not go toe to toe with the Lakhzovian military, and it wasn't his nature to fold either though the withdrawal might look it. Instead Kakashi had gone for the raise option, the revocation singled out Achkaerinese troops ordering their withdrawal but it said nothing of the other forces committed - East Moreland, Ui Cenneslaig and of course Rokkenjima's. So it was time to metaphorically put the squeeze on and with other international developments the situation was even more magnified.
"Captain Culshaw would you get Commodore Rowe a drink please." Kakashi said
"Certainly." Sarah said
"Glad you could help us out Commodore." Kakashi said "Your troops will be briefed as we hand ground presence over to them. I apologize that you're having to do our leg work as well as your own but it would seem that Kadassa wants to try the outlandish."

OCC- use of Rokkenjiman troops agreed with Beatrice.

Captain Phillip Ramsay stood on the bridge of his ship the INS Rasengan they'd been hanging around just outside Achkaerinese waters waiting for the Austrana, eventually the Rokkenjiman yacht came up on their scopes
"We have them sir." the radar officer reported
"Thank you Ensign." Phillip said he picked up the radio "Austrana this is the INS Rasengan you are to adjust heading to dock at Avalon we are to escort you in."
"They're complying." the Ensign said
"Good." Phillip said "Helm come about and follow them in." with an arrest warrant having been issued there was no way that any chances were being taken.

It was an hour later that the Rokkenjiman yacht pulled up to dock in Avalon, the pier it had been directed to, number six, had been cleared as had the access lanes to it. On the road at the gate four armoured cars waited, the pier itself was bristling with the expected military reception for such circumstances. Waiting at the foot of the gangplank was Serenity and Rion Ayanami

"What's your take on this?" Serenity asked
"Some of it I can buy some of it I can't." Rion said
"You got anything creative in mind?" Serenity asked
"Probably but depends on a couple of things." Rion said

They didn't have to wait long as the Rokkenjiman's came down the ramp. Serenity sighed a little with relief this had been far easier than had it could have been.
"Do your duty Rion." Serenity said as she stood opposite Beatrice
"Beatrice Anselmo." Rion said "You're under arrest this way please." she took Beatrice and led her towards one of the cars, Serenity waited a few moments before turning and following. It had been hard enough keeping her out of jail last time this time would be different, she'd called Beatrice foolish the last time around, she was more than that now that was for certain especially because it didn't have to be this way. Anyway the Avalon Estate awaited them it was time to settle this once and for all.
   

"I see." Peter said after a few moments thinking "East Moreland's famous thorough border checks is it?" he half smiled those checks were somewhat legendary, they were also why Peter when visiting East Moreland now chose to arrive by sea, not because the idea of border checks or even thorough border checks bothered him but because his artificial arm had a habit of setting off airport metal detectors and there were only so many times Peter was prepared to risk being jumped by airport security, it was funny the first three times but anything after that wasn't, he glanced at Nettie who looked like she had an idea and was just waiting for his approval. He nodded.

"Given the geographical constraints of your territory we're talking about having to be creative in terms of location. Fortunately this is something some Achkaerinese companies have experience with having had to face such circumstances in regards to building Gowu's new airport which sits within the Gowu EEZ on the Rokkenjiman Sea. What I think can be offered and what we would probably be willing to offer is to ask those companies to construct a similar airport for you within your EEZ off your coast, on the understanding that a certain amount of the profits from the airport be paid back to the companies in question until the cost is fully paid back." Nettie said

To Her Majesty Queen Klara II

Achkaerin is one of of the founding signatories of the MCUR, we have over time come to realize in several circumstances since it's inception and entering into force that there are issues with it. Therefore I thank you for arranging this meeting, as was the case when the Treaty was conceived Achkaerin will be represented by my daughter Crown Princess Serenity, on this occasion I will also ask Senator Melinda Carter Achkaerin's EDI Minister to attend.

Yours



Emperor Peter Azurewind of Achkaerin

Before A Storm

With his Dad in Lodja for the coronation and sister over in Avalon working, the current running of the country from the Marble Palace was in the hands of Prince Simon Azurewind, this was something of a rarity for him given the line of succession but with his little sister now in the midst of her military service the odds were this would become more common.
"Simon" Kumiko Arkwright, the Royal Family Chief of Staff, said coming and sitting across the lounge table from where the Prince sat she had a phone in her hand and was accompanied by the Foreign Affairs Advisor Nettie Taylor
"Who is it?" Simon asked
"Serenity." Kumiko said, Simon looked up he knew what this was going to be about and had wondered when the phone call would come, he nodded and Kumiko switched it to speakerphone and placed it on the table.
"Go ahead sis." Simon said
"Have you seen the Rokkenjiman developments?" the voice of his sister Crown Princess Serenity asked over the phone
"I have." Simon said "I'm assuming it's bad?"
"That would be an understatement." Serenity said "I've just spent the morning going through the papers from the genocide trial, it's all there."
"I see." Simon said "She's due up here isn't she?"
"Knowing her she'll be coming by sea." Serenity said "Kumiko you there?"
"Yes." Kumiko said
"Get on to the Admiralty they'll know what to do under the circumstances." Serenity said "I'll deal with this in Avalon, Nettie you'd better get out here and ask Rion and Mark to join you."
"Will do." Nettie said
"Simon?" Serenity asked
"Yeah?" Simon said
"Who's running Dad's security out in Lodja from our end?" Serenity asked
"Zoe Silvermist." Simon said
"Then you need to send her the R&A for Dad to sign." Serenity said

"Are you sure about that?" Simon asked
"We haven't got a choice." Serenity said "If she's Empress again then we have to do it this way. Send the details."
"Ok." Simon said, he ran a hand through his hair "Serenity are you ok?"
"I gave that woman a chance to tell me the truth and she didn't. How do you think I feel?" Serenity asked
"Like I would." Simon said "Do I assume you don't buy all of this?"
"I don't buy parts of it." Serenity said "That's why I want to talk to Rion and Nettie."